Response Teams

Two volunteers in yellow vests practice first aid.

The City offers Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to local residents. Residents can also get involved in local emergency preparedness efforts through the Fort Collins Volunteer Response Team (FCVRT) — a group of CERT-trained volunteers trained in disaster preparedness and emergency response skills.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains volunteers to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The program provides 20 hours of training in basic disaster response skills: fire safety, light search and rescue, emergency team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Upcoming CERT Trainings
The City regularly offers CERT training. When available, training opportunities are listed here.
The next CERT Training has not been scheduled. To join the waitlist, email fcvrt@fortcollins.gov.

What do I learn in CERT?

The CERT course includes 20 hours of classroom and hands-on training. Emergency Preparedness and Security staff, professional first responders and qualified volunteers teach these sessions.

CERT classes cover many topics, including:

CERT Organization: Learn how CERT works and get basic training on the Incident Command System (ICS) that first responders use.

Disaster Preparedness: Learn about hazards facing Fort Collins and steps you and your family should take before, during and after disasters.

Fire Safety: Learn how fires start and grow, how to use fire extinguishers, differences between extinguisher types and how to put out small fires. Also learn basic hazardous materials knowledge.

Light Search and Rescue: Learn to size up structures before entering, search and rescue techniques and safety methods.

Medical Operations: Learn to diagnose and treat airway blockages, bleeding and shock through simple triage and treatment. Learn head-to-toe assessments and basic first aid.

Disaster Simulation: Practice all your skills in a simulated CERT activation.

Who can sign up for CERT training?

City CERT training is for Fort Collins residents only. Those living outside of Fort Collins should contact their local Emergency Management organization for CERT information.

Fort Collins Volunteer Response Team (FCVRT)

The Fort Collins Volunteer Response Team (FCVRT) is a volunteer program run by the City. FCVRT teaches volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards specific to Fort Collins.

Volunteers get 20 hours of training in basic disaster response skills, including fire safety, search and rescue, emergency team organization and medical operations. FCVRT helps build community resilience and improves local emergency preparedness.

Apply to Join FCVRT.

What is FCVRT?

FCVRT is made up of background-checked, CERT-trained volunteers who support emergency preparedness, emergency response and special events locally.

FCVRT serves Fort Collins residents before, during and after emergencies and disasters. FCVRT works to make Fort Collins safer and more resilient. This team does more than disaster response — they actively work to increase personal and community resilience, disaster preparedness and community bonds.

This team is for Fort Collins residents only. Those living outside of Fort Collins should contact their local Emergency Management organization for CERT information.

FCVRT volunteers support the community in many ways:

Special events support
Emergency preparedness education classes
Team gatherings
Skill development training
Emergency response activities like filling sandbags, and staffing emergency shelters and distribution points
Disaster preparedness
Administrative support
Community outreach

What training do I need for FCVRT?

FCVRT volunteers must first take CERT training. CERT trains volunteers to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

CERT Training covers basic disaster response skills:

Fire safety
Light search and rescue
Emergency team organization
Disaster medical operations

I'm interested in emergency response but don't have time to volunteer for FCVRT.

That's okay! Residents interested in emergency preparedness and response can take the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, even if they don't want to join FCVRT.